Peripheral sealing gland for elongate objects passing through a surface or beyond a pipe end

ABSTRACT

A sealing gland is configured to form a first seal between a first elongate member and the sealing gland, and a second seal between a second elongate member and the sealing gland. The sealing gland includes a conical upper section having an upper aperture through which the first elongate member is to pass and defining, at the upper aperture, a deformable upper seal configured to deform about and form the first seal to a periphery of the first elongate member, and a tubular lower section extending from a base of the upper section and having an open lower end through which the elongate members are to pass, the lower section including one or more endless lip seals, the open lower end configured to deform about a periphery of the second elongate member, such that the one or more endless lip seals form the second seal at the second elongate member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/084,142, entitled “Peripheral Sealing Gland forElongate Objects Passing through a Surface or Beyond a Pipe End,” filedon Feb. 10, 2009, which is a national stage entry of PCT/NZ2006/000278,filed on Oct. 27, 2006, which claims priority to New Zealand PatentApplication No. 549800, filed on Sep. 11, 2006, New Zealand PatentApplication No. 547348, filed on May 18, 2006, and New Zealand PatentApplication No. 543300, filed on Oct. 27, 2005, each of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to sealing glands and, in particular,though not solely to, sealing glands for sealing the join formed betweenand about an elongate member such as, for example, a pipe with asubstantially flat surface, for example a wall, ceiling or floor, oranother pipe that the pipe may pass through.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Specific requirements for clean areas, for example, in food handling,biologically sensitive areas, or other such areas requiring a cleanseal, requires use of a seal that can be cleaned easily, applied easilyand become functional easily yet is also consistent in its sealingengagement to both the pipe and the wall, and that is manufactured frominert and chemically resistant materials, so as to not contaminate theimmediate environment, and to withstand cleaning and the like. The samecriteria apply when sealing a pipe to a further pipe that it may passthrough. The further pipe may be an outer sleeve such as a kick pipe toprevent damage to the inner pipe. Such assemblies are often presentwhere a pipe passes through a wall, floor or ceiling and the wall, flooror ceiling has an outer sleeve for the pipe to pass through.

There are numerous ways of sealing a cavity and join about pipes andsimilar elongate members to a flat surface which they may pass through.The most simple method for sealing a pipe to a wall is the applicationof sealant about the periphery of the pipe adjacent the region of thewall into or through which the pipe may pass through. Prior art methodsthat use sealants and similar are messy and time consuming and thesealant cannot be easily removed and replaced, meaning that the pipe,wall panel or similar cannot be easily removed and replaced.

Another example of these is the use of a stainless steel flange attachedto the elongate pipe or member. This is then attached to the flatsurface in a first method by standing this off the flat surface and thensealing the space with sealant. This is not an easily removable system.The second is the bolting of the flange to a further wall fitting andlocating between the two a sealing component, e.g. an “O” ring. Thismethod and the previous one do not stand up well to vibration andflexure of the pipe relative to the flat surface.

Further methods utilize boots and similar to engage both the pipe andwall. Other methods use a boot with a cut to allow it to be placed andseal an existing pipe and wall installation. Methods that have usedboots to date have not resulted in a consistently sealing boot about thepipe and against the bulk head. The solutions that currently exist witha sealable cut for sealing about an existing pipe and wall share thesame problems as the uncut ones together with the added problem that thecut does not seal consistently either. To date all re-sealable glandsrequire the addition of sealant to obtain an effective seal.

A number of solutions exist for sealing a pipe to a protective sleeve.However all of these require some form of additional sealant added toaffect a proper seal between the pipe and the protective sleeve.

Increasingly hygienic environments, for example food handling andpreparation premises, require high standard chemically inert materialsto be present. This is not only to preserve the hygienic environment butalso the method of cleaning such places uses highly corrosive clean inplace chemicals that attack most materials such as rubbers and steels,including 305 stainless steel. These chemicals or environments are alsooften thermally elevated, increasing their reactivity. Such environmentsrequire materials that are compatible with such harsh environments.

Additionally such environments require a vibration and flexure resistantsealing and often fire retardance and resistance. Such relative movementcan occur due to impact of the pipe or surface, flow in the elongatemember, water or gas hammer or thermal expansion. The relative movementcan be both radially and axially of the elongate member. To date, nosuch gland exists that offers all these properties and there is a longfelt want in the industry that as yet has not been addressed.

In this specification, where reference has been made to patentspecifications, other external documents, or other sources ofinformation, this is generally for the purpose of providing a contextfor discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically statedotherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construedas an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, inany jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common generalknowledge in the art. It is, therefore, an object of the presentinvention to provide a sealing gland to overcome the above problems withthe prior art or at least to provide the public with a choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention may be said to broadly consistin a peripheral sealing gland to form a seal, between an elongate memberand a substantially flat surface having an aperture into which saidelongate member extends said peripheral sealing gland comprising orincluding an at least in part tapered or frustoconical shaped skirtthrough which said elongate member is to pass and defining at the upperperiphery of the skirt, a deformable upper seal to deform about and sealto a periphery of said elongate member, a flange depending from thelower periphery of said skirt including on its outward from the skirtpresented surface, at least one endless lip (“endless lip seal”), toseal when brought into contact against said substantially flat surface,a compression ring able to bear on said flange, to be fastened to saidsubstantially flat surface to capture the flange therebetween.Preferably, said seal formed is water and particulate impervious.

Preferably, said compression ring is rigid so as to apply asubstantially consistent pressure to said at least one endless lipagainst said surface. For instance, the compression ring may be madefrom a stainless steel. The compression ring includes a first pluralityof apertures for receiving fasteners. The flange includes a secondplurality of apertures, at least some of which are co-axial with thefirst plurality. Preferably, said second plurality of apertures is eachof lesser size than the fastener to fit there through to aidestablishing of a seal. Preferably, said second plurality of aperturesdoes not pass through said endless lip seals.

Preferably, there are at least two of said endless lip seals, eachconcentric to each other. In one embodiment, there are four of saidendless lip seals. The second plurality of apertures may lie between twoof the concentric endless lip seals. Preferably, the outer most of saidplurality of endless lip seals is larger than those at the inside of it.

Preferably, the upper seal and the flange are of elastic resilientmaterial and preferably chemically inert material (for examplesilicone). The upper seal may be defined by cutting the apex of aconical shaped skirt that preferably has marking to indicate a zone ofcutting for particular said elongate members. The upper seal and theflange may be of sufficient internal diameter to seal over any diameterenlargement in the elongate member. Such diameter enlargement may beaffected by welding, union nuts, or similar known methods and also thesize of the aperture in the substantially flat surface to be sealed.

The skirt and the flange may be integrally formed. Preferably, the skirthas, toward said flange, a retention flange to bear on a surface of thecompression ring to retain the compression ring to the flange.

In one embodiment, said sealing gland is split, from said upper seal tothe external edge of said flange. In this embodiment, the sealing glandcan be applied to form a seal between an in situ elongate member and asubstantially flat surface by opening the split and slipping the glandlaterally over the elongate member and thereafter applying pressure toclose the split. There may be a continuous upstand depending outwardsfrom the skirt on each side of the re-sealable split. There may also bean undercut or retaining groove running along each of the externalsurfaces of the continuous upstand. The compression ring may be split tounder engage and apply sealing pressure at least along part of there-sealable split on the flange.

Preferably, there is a compression clamp able to apply pressure toeither side of the remainder of the re-sealable opening at said undercutby continuous contact on either side of the re-sealable opening. Saidcompression clamp may comprise at least two spaced opposing closuremembers, said two spaced opposing closure members joined by a pluralityof connection members along their length, said plurality of connectionmembers arching from one of said at least two spaced opposing closuremembers to the other, wherein in use said at least two spaced opposingclosure members are in continuous contact with external surfaces oneither side of said continuous upstand to apply pressure to seal saidre-sealable split.

In a further aspect the present invention is a sealing gland to presenta first sealing surface about the periphery of an elongate member and asecond sealing surface to present a labyrinth seal to a substantiallyflat surface said first sealing surface retained to said periphery byelastic tension thereabout, and said second sealing surface retained tosaid substantially flat surface by a compression ring and a plurality offasteners there though. The first sealing surface may depend from aninner surface of a skirt. The second sealing surface may depend from aflange which in turn depends from a lower portion of said skirt.

In another aspect, the present invention may be said to broadly consistin a peripheral sealing gland which in use forms a seal between anelongate member and a surface, said peripheral sealing gland comprisingor including a substantially conical or pyramidal upper part (whether orcircular or 3 or more sided polygon in cross section), the lowerperiphery of said upper part defining the perimeter of a lower aperture,a sealing flange extending outwards from the lower periphery of saidupper part, in use, said upper part being cut across a plane to createan upper aperture in said upper part, said elongate member passingthrough at least said upper aperture, the periphery of said upperaperture forming an upper seal which deforms about and seals to theouter surface of said elongate member, said sealing flange locatingagainst said surface to form a lower seal.

Preferably said plane is generally horizontal, so that when cut, saidupper part has the form of a conical frustum or truncated pyramid. Theupper part may be marked at intervals over the height of said upper partto indicate zones across which said upper part can be cut to form saidupper aperture, said marks located so that when said upper part is cutat a specific zone, said upper aperture is sized to fit a particularsize of elongate member.

The sealing flange may include at least one endless lip seal located onthe lower surface of said flange which in use seals against saidsurface. Preferably, there is a plurality of lip seals located on saidlower surface of said flange, positioned concentrically. For instance,there may be four of said endless lip seals. Preferably, the outermostof said plurality of endless lip seals is larger than those at theinside of it.

The sealing gland may be adapted to receive a compression ring which inuse bears on the upper surface of said sealing flange in order to sealagainst said surface. The upper part may include a retention flangelocated substantially where said upper part and said sealing flangemeet, said retention flange sized and located such that in use it bearson the upper surface of said compression ring to retain said compressionring in position on said sealing flange. Preferably, the seal betweensaid surface and said sealing flange is water and particulateimpervious. Preferably, said sealing gland is of elastically resilientand chemically inert material (for example silicone).

In a further aspect, the present invention may be said to broadlyconsist in a sealing gland assembly comprising or including a sealinggland according to any one of the preceding statements, and acompression ring which in use bears on the upper surface of said sealingflange in order to aid sealing of said flange against said surface.

The compression ring includes a plurality of compression apertures,spaced around said compression ring, which are adapted to receivefasteners that engage with said surface such that in use said ring bearson said upper surface of said sealing flange. Preferably, saidcompression ring is sufficiently rigid so as to not deform in use. Forinstance, the compression ring may be made from a stainless steel.

The sealing flange may include a plurality of flange aperturespositioned so that in use they co-locate with said plurality ofcompression apertures on said compression ring. The flange apertures mayeach be of lesser size than the compression apertures, to in use aidsaid sealing when said fasteners pass though said flange apertures.Preferably, the second plurality of apertures does not pass through theendless lip seals. Preferably, the second plurality of apertures liesbetween two concentric endless lip seals.

Preferably, said upper part and said flange are of sufficient internaldiameter that any diameter enlargement in said elongate member will notbreak said upper seal. Such diameter enlargement may be affected bywelding, union nuts, or similar known methods.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a seal in situformed between an elongate member and a substantially flat surface by aperipheral sealing gland, said peripheral sealing gland comprising orincluding an at least in part frustoconical shaped skirt through whichsaid elongate member is to pass and defining at the upper periphery ofsaid skirt a deformable upper seal to deform about and seal to aperiphery of said elongate member, a flange depending from the lowerperiphery of said skirt including on its outward from theskirt-presented surface, at least one endless lip (“endless lip seal”),to seal when brought into contact, against said substantially flatsurface, and a compression ring able to bear on said flange by fastenersto engage with said substantially flat surface to capture said flangetherebetween.

Preferably, said peripheral sealing gland is unitary and is locatedabout said elongate member prior to sealing against said substantiallyflat surface. Alternatively, said peripheral sealing gland is locatedabout said elongate member and substantially flat surface in situ via are-sealable split running from said upper seal to an external surface ofsaid flange.

In yet a further aspect the invention consist in peripheral sealinggland as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In yet a further aspect still the invention consists in a method ofproviding a sealing gland as herein described with reference to theaccompany drawings.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in situ a pipeand a wall sealed by a peripheral sealing gland as herein described withreference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In a further aspect, the present invention may be said to broadlyconsist in a sealing gland which in use forms a first seal between theouter surface of a first elongate member and said sealing gland, and asecond seal between the outer surface of a second elongate member andsaid sealing gland, said sealing gland comprising or including a hollowconical or pyramidal upper section (whether or circular or 3 or moresided polygon in cross section), a hollow tubular lower section (whethercircular or of other cross section) extending from the base of saidupper section, the free end of said lower section including a loweraperture, in use, said upper part being cut across a plane to create anupper aperture, said first elongate member in use passing through saidupper aperture, the periphery of said upper aperture forming an upperseal which deforms about, and seals to, the outer surface of said firstelongate member, and one end of said second elongate member in usepassing into said lower aperture, at least part of said lower sectiondeforming about and sealing to the outer surface of said second elongatemember.

Preferably said plane is generally horizontal, such that after said cut,said upper part has the form of a conical frustum or truncated pyramid.The upper section may include cut marks at intervals over the height ofsaid upper section.

Preferably, said sealing gland is adapted to receive a tensile bandwhich in use bears on the outer surface of said lower section in orderto seal against said outer surface of said second elongate member. Thelower section may include at least one endless lip seal located on theinner surface of said lower section which in use seals against saidouter surface of said second elongate member. Preferably, said firstelongate member is of lesser diameter than said second elongate member.

Preferably, the seals between said surface and said sealing flange arewater and particulate impervious. The sealing gland may be made ofelastically resilient and chemically inert material (for examplesilicone). The lower end may include a thickened band towards its lowerportion. Preferably said thickened band reinforces said lower end toprevent tearing of the gland material. Additionally, said thickened bandmay provide a reference for locating said tensile band.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a seal in situformed between a first elongate member and a second elongate member by aperipheral sealing gland, said peripheral sealing gland comprising orincluding a hollow conical or pyramidal upper section and a hollowtubular lower section extending from the base of said upper section, thefree end of said lower section including a lower aperture, in use, saidupper part having or able to have an upper aperture, said first elongatemember in use passing through said upper aperture, the periphery of saidupper aperture forming an upper seal which deforms about, and seals to,the outer surface of said first elongate member, and one end of saidsecond elongate member in use passing into said lower aperture, at leastpart of said lower section deforming about and sealing to the outersurface of said second elongate member.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a peripheralsealing gland to seal any gap between a substantially flat surface andan elongate member, said peripheral sealing gland comprising orincluding an at least in part frustoconical shaped skirt able to defineor including an aperture formed towards its uppermost point to define anupper seal to be located about the periphery of said elongate member,and a flange depending from the lowermost periphery of said at least inpart frustoconical shaped skirt, the lower most surface of said flangehaving at least one endless lip to seal (“endless lip seal”) whenbrought into contact against said substantially flat surface.Preferably, said skirt and said flange are of one piece. The sealinggland also includes a re-sealable split extending from said uppermostpoint to an external edge of said flange, such that said peripheralsealing gland can be opened and located about said elongate member andagainst said substantially flat surface and thereafter said re-sealablesplit can be sealed by a combination of a split compression ring able tobear on said flange by fasteners to engage with said substantially flatsurface and able to seal at least that part of said re-sealable openingon said flange, and a compression clamp able to apply sealing pressureeither side of the remainder of said re-sealable split by continuouscontact on both sides of said re-sealable split. Preferably, said sealformed is water and particulate impervious.

Preferably, said compression clamp has two parallel rails able to locateeither side of said re-sealable split to apply said pressure to sealsaid split. The re-sealable split “on” or “of” said skirt can receivesaid compression clamp if necessary to provide additional sealingpressure. Preferably, said compression clamp is located into place bysliding along said re-sealable split from one end. Preferably, saidcompression damp is slid along from said uppermost point. Preferably,said compression clamp has connection portions that arc from one of saidtwo parallel rails to the other. Preferably, said compression clamp ismade from stainless steel, such as 316 or higher grade stainless steel.

Preferably, said split is flanked by mating surfaces of said skirt. Themating surfaces may be formed by continuous upstands. The matingsurfaces of said upstands may be complimentary. Preferably, said matingsurfaces on each of said continuous upstands present a complimentarymating surface to each other to form the seal, when under pressure, ofsaid re-sealable opening. Preferably said complimentary mating surfaceis a planar surface. Alternatively said complimentary mating surface isa labyrinth sealing surface. Preferably, said labyrinth sealing surfaceconsists of at least one sealing lip on at least one of saidcomplimentary mating surfaces. Preferably there is a complimentary sealrecess to receive said at least one sealing rib on the opposing saidcomplimentary mating surface.

Each of the continuous upstands may include an external surface opposedto said mating surface. The external surface of each said continuousupstand may include an undercut (“said undercuts”) to receive saidparallel rails. The compression clamp may be clipped down over saidre-sealable split to locate with said undercuts. The compression clampmay then be deformed inwards to apply said pressure to seal saidre-sealable split. The inward deformation may occur via a tool appliedto either said connection portions or said parallel rails. Preferably,said compression clamp is also deformable to contour to the shape ofsaid peripheral sealing gland.

Preferably said peripheral sealing gland has a pre-formed said upperseal. Alternatively, said upper seal is formed by cutting part of saidupper most point away. Preferably said upper seal and said flange are ofelastic resilient material. Preferably said upper seal and flange are ofsufficient internal diameter to seal over any diameter enlargement insaid elongate member. Such diameter enlargement may be affected bywelding, union nuts, or similar known methods.

Preferably said peripheral sealing gland is made from a fire retardantmaterial. Preferably said peripheral sealing gland is made from athermally resistant material. Preferably said peripheral sealing glandis made from a highly flexible material. Preferably said peripheralsealing gland is made from a chemically inert material (for examplesilicone). Preferably said peripheral sealing gland is circular incross-section.

Preferably, the elongate member is at 90 degrees to said substantiallyflat surface. Alternatively, the elongate member may be at any angle tosaid substantially flat surface. Preferably, said elongate member iscircular in cross-section. Preferably, said upper most point is markedcircumferentially to indicate apertures to suit various elongatemembers.

Said compression ring may include a first plurality of apertures forreceiving said fasteners. Preferably said compression ring issufficiently rigid so as to not deform under the pressure exerted bysaid fasteners to press said endless lips against said surface. Forinstance, said compression ring may be made from a stainless steel, suchas 316 or higher grade stainless steel. Preferably said skirt has,toward and above said flange, a retention flange to bear on a surface ofsaid compression ring to retain said compression ring to said flange.

Said flange may have a second plurality of apertures, at least some ofwhich are co-axial with said first plurality. Preferably said secondplurality of apertures do not pass through said endless lip seals.Preferably said second plurality of apertures is each of lesser sizethan said fastener to fit there through to aid said sealing. Preferablythere is a plurality of said at least one endless lip seal eachconcentric to each other. Preferably there are four said endless lipseals. Preferably the outer most of said plurality of endless lip sealsis larger than those at the inside of it. Preferably said secondplurality of apertures lie between two concentric endless lip seals.

In a further aspect still the present invention consists in a method ofproviding a seal between an elongate member and a substantially flatsurface with a sealing gland having an at least in part frustoconicalskirt shaped upper section to provide an upper seal against saidelongate member, and a flange dependent from the lower periphery of saidat least in part frustoconical skirt shaped upper section to sealagainst aid substantially flat surface, comprising or including thesteps of i) locating said sealing gland about said existing elongatemember via a re-sealable opening of said sealing gland running from saidupper seal to said flange, and above or adjacent to said substantiallyflat surface, ii) locating a compression ring about said sealing glandon said flange to seal that part of said re-sealable opening present onsaid flange, iii) locating a compression clamp on the remainder of saidre-sealable opening to be in continuous contact with the outer surfacesof said re-sealable opening, and iv) applying sealing pressure via saidcontinuous contact with said outer surfaces by said compression clamp toseal said re-sealable opening, said compression ring bearing on saidflange by fasteners engaging with said substantially flat surface.

The compression clamp may slide over said re-sealable opening.Alternatively said compression clamp is clipped over said re-sealableopening. The compression clamp may be deformed in place to provide saidsealing pressure to seal said re-sealable opening. The compression clampmay be deformed inwardly. The compression clamp can deform to contour tosaid skirt.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a seal in situformed between an elongate member and a substantially flat surface by aperipheral sealing gland, said peripheral sealing gland comprising orincluding an at least in part frustoconical shaped skirt able to have orhaving an aperture formed towards its uppermost point to define an upperseal about the periphery of said elongate member, and a flange dependingfrom the lowermost periphery of said at least in part frustoconicalshaped skirt, the lower most surface of said flange having at least oneendless lip to seal (“endless lip seal”), when brought into contact,against said substantially flat surface, a re-sealable split through thethickness of said peripheral sealing gland extending from said uppermostpoint to the external edge of said flange, such that said peripheralsealing gland can be opened and located about said elongate member andagainst said substantially flat surface and thereafter said re-sealablesplit can be sealed by a combination of a split compression ring able tobear on said flange by fasteners to engage with said substantially flatsurface and able to seal at least that part of said re-sealable openingon said flange, and a compression clamp able to apply sealing pressureeither side of the remainder of said re-sealable opening by continuouscontact either side of said re-sealable opening.

In a further aspect still the present invention consists in acompression clamp for closing retaining and sealing two halves of anelongate opening, said compression clamp comprising or including atleast two opposing pressure application surfaces, that at least prior toapplication are parallel, said at least two opposing pressureapplication surfaces presenting each from a pressure application member,said each pressure application member being joined by a plurality ofconnection members arching between said pressure application members,said compression clamp when located about said elongate opening applyinga continuous sealing pressure along the length of said elongate seal.

In a further aspect still the present invention consists in acompression clamp to close an elongate opening to form an elongate seal,said elongate seal being formed by two opposing seal faces, whether saidopposing seal faces follow a curved or straight line, and whether or notthe faces form a planar or labyrinthine seal, said compression clampcomprising or including, at least two spaced opposing closure members,said two spaced opposing closure members joined by a plurality ofconnection members along their length, said plurality of connectionmembers arching from one of said at least two spaced opposing closuremembers to the other, wherein in use said at least two spaced opposingclosure members are in continuous contact with external surfaces eitherside of said elongate opening to apply pressure to form said elongateseal. The lower external surfaces of said connection members may becutaway to present a smooth surface to said gland material should theycontact it.

Preferably said two spaced opposing closure members are located inundercuts at least partway down the height of said elongate seal.Preferably said undercuts are pre-formed in said external surfaces.Alternatively said undercuts are formed by the said applied pressure bysaid compression clamp. Preferably said compression clamp slides intoplace along said elongate opening. Alternatively said compression clampis clipped over said elongate opening. Preferably said elongate openingis the re-sealable opening of a sealing gland. Preferably said sealinggland is a sealing gland as herein before described.

Preferably said compression clamp is deformed in place to provide saidapplied pressure to seal said elongate opening. Preferably saidcompression clamp is deformed inwardly. Preferably said compressionclamp is removable to allow unsealing of said elongate opening.Preferably said compression clamp is able to deform to follow thecontour of said elongate opening forming said elongate seal. Preferablysaid compression clamp is made from stainless steel.

In another aspect, the invention consists of a crimpable clamp havingtwo (at least in part and preferably totally) spaced elongate membersinterconnected by bridging, wherein the bridging allows (without totalmemory or any memory of the crimp) crimping of the bridging to bring allor part of this spaced elongate members together.

Preferably the material of the bridging is such that the bridgingassumes a stable fixed condition after having sprung back not at all oronly a little after the insult which has caused the crimp. Preferablythe bridging is a plurality of discrete ridges. Preferably they do notlead directly from one elongate member to the other i.e. by the shortestdistance. Instead, whereas is preferable, said elongate members arestraight, preferably each bridge is offset from the plane that includesboth said spaced elongate members. Preferably each bridge projects at adirection more normal than parallel to the direct direction of oneelongate member to the other, there being however part of the bridgingwhich where the curved or straight is more akin to the direct directionfrom elongate member to elongate member.

In a further aspect, the present invention consists in an assemblywhereby two components or two parts of a component are held together bya crimpable clamp as before said having been crimped so as to retain thecomponents or parts together.

In a further aspect, the invention consists in a gland, suitable forwhole and/or part encirclement of a member whether a conduit, port orthe like, wherein said gland includes a separation of part thereof, saidseparation being able to be held together or at least almost together,there being outstands from each portion, part or the like which allowsone to be clamped one to the other. Preferably said outstands areadapted for being clamped by a crimpable clamp as before said.

Preferably said gland includes an annular flange, a sleeve and a zonebetween said sleeve and said annular flange, there being a splitting ofa radial or near radial splitting of the annular flange and also of thezone therefrom approaching or to said sleeve, and wherein said zoneincludes outstands adapted to be held one to the other to hold theseparation closed or substantially closed over at least said zone orpart thereof. Preferably said zone is at least to some extendsubstantially frustoconical or a progression of frustoconical or relatedcurved forms. Preferably the separation is a separation provided at amoulding stage (i.e., it is not a post moulding or machiningseparation).

Preferably, said annular flange is provided with openings so that thesame can be affixed as appropriate using some or all of those openings,thereby preferably also holding that annular flange in a mated or nearmated condition that affects substantial closure or closure.

In still a further aspect, the present invention consists in a sealinggland to seal about a substantially elongate member and a substantiallyflat surface that includes an aperture into which the member extends,comprising or including a substantially planar sealing body adapted toform, toward the centre of said sealing body, a seal about said elongatemember, said seal formed at least in part by elastic deformation aboutsaid elongate member, and toward the periphery of said sealing body atleast one endless lip seal adapted to seal to said substantially flatsurface. Preferably, there are four said endless lip seals eachconcentric toward said periphery. The sealing gland also includes afirst plurality of holes inward of said periphery, and a compressionring to bear, on said periphery, on the surface opposite that againstsaid substantially flat surface, said compression ring having aplurality of holes co-axial with those of said first plurality of holes,said first plurality of holes providing an interference fit to sealagainst a fastener passed therethrough.

Preferably said sealing body has a retention lip on said surfaceopposite that against said substantially flat surface to retain saidcompression ring to said sealing body. Preferably said interference fitis created independent of any compression achieved by said compressionring. Preferably a plurality of fasteners are used to retain saidsealing gland to said substantially flat surface, via said compressionring, and said plurality of apertures, said fasteners engaging with saidsubstantially flat surface. Preferably said compression ring is rigid soas to not substantially deform under the pressure applied by saidfasteners.

Preferably said sealing body has a plurality of concentric indicationsat or toward the centre of said body to indicate various sealingaperture sizes that can be cut into said sealing body to deform aboutand accommodate different sized elongate members. Preferably, saidconcentric indications and said sealing aperture are circular.Alternatively, said concentric indications and said sealing aperture areother than circular to accommodate the cross sectional shape of saidelongate member.

Preferably, said sealing body has a sealing aperture therethrough at thecentre of said sealing body to seal about said elongate member.Alternatively, said sealing body has no said sealing aperture at thecentre there through and a user will cut the sealing aperture asrequired for the said elongate member. Preferably, said sealing body ismade from a fire retardant silicone material. Preferably, said sealingbody is made of a red fire retardant silicone material to indicate itspresence as a sealing gland.

In a further aspect, the present invention consists in a sealing glandto seal against a substantially flat surface and about a substantiallyelongate member, comprising or including an inner sealing body adaptedto seal against said substantially flat surface, and an outer sealingbody to mount against said inner sealing body, both said sealing bodiesto seal about said elongate member, said inner sealing body beingsubstantially planar having a planar peripheral flange (“inner sealingbody flange”) with at least one first endless lip seal at or near itsperiphery to bear on said substantially flat surface. Preferably, thereare four said endless lip seals each concentric toward the outerperimeter. Inward of said inner sealing body flange is an inner sealingportion, said outer sealing body having a substantially frustoconicalinner sealing portion and a peripheral flange (“outer sealing bodyflange”) on its base thereabouts, the underside of said outer sealingbody flange having at least one second endless lip seal to bear againstsaid inner sealing body.

According to this embodiment, the sealing gland also includes acompression ring to bear against the top side of said outer bodyperipheral flange, a plurality of apertures passing through saidcompression ring and said inner and outer body sealing flanges, adaptedto receive fasteners therethrough, said plurality of apertures providingan interference fit about said fasteners to seal thereto, said innersealing portions adapted to elastically deform about said elongatemember to seal thereto, said compression ring able to bear on said topside by tightening of said fasteners to said substantially flat surface,to seal said outer body sealing flange via deformation of said at leastone second endless lip seal to said inner body sealing flange, and saidinner body sealing flange to said substantially flat surface viadeformation of said at least one first endless lip seal. Preferably,said compression ring is substantially rigid to not deform under thepressure applied by the fasteners to attach and seal said sealing glandto said substantially planar surface. Preferably, said interference fitis caused independent of any compression achieved by compression of eachsaid sealing body by compression ring. Preferably, said outer sealingbody has a retention lip on said top side surface to retain saidcompression ring to said outer body.

Preferably, each said sealing body has a plurality of concentricindications at or toward the centre of each said sealing body toindicate various sealing aperture sizes that can be cut into saidsealing body to deform about, seal to and accommodate different sizedelongate members. Preferably, said concentric indications and saidsealing aperture are circular. Alternatively, said concentricindications and said sealing aperture are other than circular toaccommodate the cross sectional shape of said elongate member.

Preferably, each said sealing gland has a sealing aperture therethroughat the centre of each said sealing body to seal about said elongatemember. Alternatively, each said sealing body has no said sealingaperture at the centre there through and a user will cut the sealingaperture as required for the said elongate member. Preferably, each saidsealing body is made from a fire retardant silicone material.Preferably, said inner sealing body is made of a red fire retardantsilicone material to indicate it has been applied.

Preferably the arrangement is substantially as herein described withreference to any one of the accompanying drawings. The invention alsoconsists in, in combination, a gland as before said and a crimpableclamp as before said. The term ‘comprising’ as used in thisspecification means ‘consisting at least in part of’, that is to saywhen interpreting statements in this specification which include thatterm, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need tobe present but other features can also be present. The term “gland” asused herein includes the meaning of a member to seal between twosurfaces, typically where one intrudes into, or near another surface orone member passes through another member or surface. The term“continuous” here is meant in the normal meaning of continuous over timeand also includes continuous over a length.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changesin construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of theinvention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope ofthe invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and thedescriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to bein any sense limiting. The invention consists in the foregoing and alsoenvisages constructions of which the following gives examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments to the present invention will now be described inreference to the accompanying drawings, whereby;

FIG. 1 shows in plan view a first embodiment of the sealing gland of thepresent invention, prepared for use,

FIG. 2 shows a bottom elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 a shows a side elevation of the sealing gland of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 3 b shows the sealing gland of the first embodiment before it hasbeen prepared for use, having a full cone on its upper portion.

FIG. 4 shows the sealing gland of the first embodiment of the presentinvention in top perspective view.

FIG. 5 shows the sealing gland of the first embodiment of the presentinvention in bottom perspective view.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of thesealing gland of the present application in use, sealing to a pipe andalso bearing on a substantially flat surface by means of a compressionring, with the sealing gland located over a union nut of two pipes.

FIG. 7 a shows the detail A of FIG. 6 with the lips deformed against thesubstantially flat surface, and FIG. 7 b shows the undeformed lips withfastener.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a sealing gland according to a secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a cutaway view of the sealing gland of FIG. 8, inperspective view.

FIG. 10 shows similar view to that of FIG. 8 with the addition oftension band improve sealing a bottle second pipe.

FIG. 11 shows a similar view to that of FIG. 9 with the addition of thetension band of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows the sealing of the gland of the second embodiment to thesecond pipes.

FIG. 13 shows a similar view to FIGS. 9 and 11 with the addition of thetwo elongate members of different diameter shown.

FIG. 14 shows two re-sealable sealing glands of the prior art showingthe discrete pressure application to the re-sealable portion inperspective view.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of the presentinvention showing a re-sealable opening of the peripheral sealing glandincluding the compression ring and compression clamp.

FIG. 16 shows a re-sealable peripheral compression gland of the furtherembodiment in isometric view sealed about an elongate member and againsta substantially flat surface.

FIG. 17 a shows a perspective compression clamp for the re-sealableperipheral sealing gland, and FIG. 17 b shows in end view a preferredform of compression clamp.

FIG. 18 shows a compression ring for this further embodiment with abreak to allow passage there through of the re-sealable opening.

FIG. 19 a shows a cross section perpendicular to the re-sealable openingshowing a compression clamp of one form prior to deformation andapplication of sealing pressure, and

FIG. 19 b shows the same view as A with the exception that thecompression clamp has been deformed to apply sealing pressure to there-sealable opening. FIG. 19 c shows a further embodiment of thecompression clamp being clipped in place over the continuous upstandsprior to inward deformation, and FIG. 19 d shows this second embodimentcompression clamp deformed and applying continuous pressure to saidre-sealable split.

FIGS. 20 a and 20 b show in cross section of the seal portion twopossible variations of a labyrinth seal, FIG. 20 a showing a sealsurface with lips similar to those on the bottom of the flange, and FIG.20 b a labyrinth comprised of ribs that engage along the length of theseal.

FIG. 21 shows a further embodiment of the present invention in a) planview and b) a cross-sectional view through A-A the particular form beingof a substantially planar disk with an aperture there through.

FIG. 22 shows the embodiment of FIG. 21 in plan isometric.

FIG. 23 shows a similar view to that of FIG. 21 in that a compressionring has been added in plan view a) and a sectional view and b) asectional view along the line of B-B.

FIG. 24 shows a similar view to that of FIG. 22 in that a plan isometricview is shown with the addition of the compression ring, the sealinggland shown sealing a pipe or similar elongate member.

FIG. 25 shows us a similar view to that of FIGS. 21 and 23 with theaddition of a retaining lip for the compression ring shown in plan viewa) and also b) a cross-sectional view along line C-C.

FIG. 26 shows a similar view to that of FIGS. 22 and 24.

FIG. 27 shows a similar view to that of FIG. 25 with the addition of acompression ring being retained by the retaining lip in a) plan view andb) a section view along the line D-D.

FIG. 28 shows a similar view to that of FIG. 26 with the addition of thecompression ring.

FIG. 29 shows a bottom isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIGS.21 through 28.

FIG. 30 shows a further embodiment in plan view of a two part sealinggland.

FIG. 31 shows a cross-sectional view along line E-E of FIG. 30 showingthe two part make up of the sealing gland with a compression ring inplace.

FIG. 32 shows a top isometric view of the two part sealing gland with acompression ring in place.

FIG. 33 shows an isometric sectional view along line E-E of FIG. 30.

FIG. 34 shows the cross section of FIG. 33 with the inclusion of theflat surface provided by a wall and the elongate member (such as a pipe)and the sealing gland sealing therebetween.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 through 34.

The sealing gland 1 consists of a tapered skirt 5 that is substantiallyfrustoconical in the preferred embodiment. It should be noted that inalternative embodiments this skirt 5 could be pyramid-shaped, withmultiple sides from three upwards. The size of the skirt 5 will dependon the location it is to seal. The sizes will determined by the size andpresence of any pipe unions present or the size of the aperture throughwhich the pipe 2 may pass through.

A flange 7 extends outwards from the base or lower periphery of theupper part 5. The upper part 5 (or “skirt”) may be a full cone having anapex 14, as shown in FIG. 3 b, with the cone including markings 13 inrings at different heights around the cone, which indicate at whichpoint a user should cut to create an aperture suitable for a particularsize of elongate member 2. The marking 13 may additionally includeindicia to indicate a particular diameter or size which may occur whencutting at that mark. It should be noted that although in the preferredembodiment these markings are perpendicular to the centre line, orcentre of rotation of the upper part 5, these could be angled to createoval apertures for pipes of oval cross-section, or if an angledconstruction, with the elongate ember angled away from perpendicularwith said surface, is required. It should also be noted that the skirt 5may be pre-cut to a required size of a particular elongate member 2. Thetapered skirt, truncated cone, pyramid or frustoconical skirt 5 thuscreated has an upper aperture 20 which defines an upper periphery forsealing against an elongate member.

As described above, the skirt 5 has at its upper portion 19 an opening20 (which may be provided by the pre-cut sealing gland 1 or when cutfrom the cone configuration as per FIG. 3 b). The opening 20 provides anupper seal 6 or a surface for an upper seal 6. The flange 7 will now bedescribed in more detail with reference to the Figures.

The flange 7 has a lower surface 21, the opposite side from the apex 14of the cone 5. In the preferred embodiment, a number of endless lipseals 8 are located on this surface and they are able to form alabyrinth seal. The endless lip seals 8 are of sufficiently thin crosssection so that with the application of a small amount of pressure froma surface or object they are able to deform and seal about or on thatsurface or object. This is best shown in FIG. 7 a where the endless lipseals 8 have deformed against an object, in this case a substantiallyflat surface 3. By having a number of concentric endless lip seals 8 anumber of sealing points on such a surface or object are formed tofurther ensure the integrity of such a seal formed.

The flange 7 also has a plurality of flange apertures 12 formed therethrough. In use, these receive fasteners 10. In the preferred embodimentthese flange apertures 12 are each of a lesser diameter than thefasteners 10 which they are to receive. This is to further ensure theintegrity of the seal formed, as the preferred material from which theflange 7 is manufactured is a deformable, elastic, and resilientmaterial which is also chemically inert, such as silicone basedcompounds, or similar. The flange apertures 12 will therefore stretch tofit around the fasteners 10 and thereafter seal against them.

Present also towards the lower portion of the skirt 5 is a retentionflange 16 this presents in one embodiment as an undercut to the skirt orcone 5, or an extension of the skirt 5 and presents approximately anaperture of similar thickness to a compression ring 9, as describedbelow. The retention flange 16 is intended to retain the compressionring 9.

This is also a major point of difference between the present inventionand the prior art. The prior art sealing glands that have such a metalouter ring present have this bonded to the flexible material of thegland. This bonding is achieved through a lengthy in mould processrequiring substantial preparation of the metal outer ring, or requirespost working, gluing and curing to attach the metal ring to the gland.

The compression ring 9 is a hollow ring which in use slips over theskirt or cone 5, and is located so that its lower surface rests againstthe upper surface of the flange 7, with the upper surface of the inneredge underneath the lower surface of the retention flange 16, so thatthe retention flange bears upon the upper surface of the compressionring 9. It can be seen that the inner edge or inner part of thecompression ring 9 will be sandwiched between the retention flange 16and the flange 7, with the two surfaces acting in cooperation to retainthe compression ring 9 to the sealing gland 1. Any other form ofretention of the ring is within the scope of the invention.

The compression ring 9 is made of a sufficiently resilient material suchthat when the sealing gland 1 is applied and fasteners are used, thecompression created by the fasteners is able to be resisted by thestiffness of the compression ring so that an even or substantially evenpressure is applied to the flange 7 by the compression ring 9. If ahigher degree of seal is required then a stiffer compression ring 9 maybe used so that more force may be exerted onto the flange 7 andtherefore the endless lip seals 8.

This is a further major point of difference between the prior artsealing glands and the present invention. The metal ring, when presenton other sealing glands, is not a resilient stiff ring but rather isflexible to allow conformation of the ring and gland to the surfacebelow. Also prior art sealing glands rely on the addition of sealantafter the gland is in place to affect a complete seal

In the preferred embodiment, the compression ring 9 has a firstplurality of apertures 11 spaced at intervals around its body, whichallow fasteners to pass there through. The apertures 11 are in thepreferred embodiment concentric and able to be co-located with thesecond plurality of apertures 12 in the flange 7.

In applying the sealing gland to an elongate member 2 and substantiallyflat surface 3 to be sealed the following steps are undertaken. Thecorrect opening 20 diameter to form the upper seal 6 is selected and/orcut. The sealing gland is thereafter slid down or along the elongatemember 2 (for example a pipe or similar conduit) until the endless lipseals 8 meet the substantially flat surface 3. The substantially flatsurface 3 is only an example and any form of sealing surface may beappropriate and in some embodiments the compression ring 9 and/or flange7 may be formed to conform to various surfaces that may not be flat, forexample corrugated, curved or similar. There may additionally be someform of reinforcing internal of the flange 7 which allows confirmationof the flange 7 to the required surface. This reinforcing orconformable, yet shape retaining material, may be in exclusion or inaddition to the compression ring 9. The upper seal 6 deforms and shapesitself around the elongate member 2 by the elastic tension of the skirt5 to form a seal. The opening 20 is therefore generally cut to aslightly smaller diameter or size than that of the elongate member 2 towhich it is to seal to.

In some uses the gland may be assembled to the elongate member separateto the compression ring 9. For example the compression ring 9 may beslide of the elongate member 2 before sliding the sealing gland 1 over.The compression ring 9 only being associated with the retention flange16 after the gland is located against the substantially flat surface 3.

In the preferred embodiment, the elongate member 2 (and thus thecorresponding opening 20) are round and created from a conical upperpart 5. This is useful for example when the sealing gland 1 is used withpipes or similar. However, if a pyramidal upper part 5 is used, theshape of the aperture 20 created may also be rectangular, triangular, aregular or irregular polygon or any other shape that is necessary to besealed to. Correspondingly the pending skirt 5 and flange 7 may be of acorresponding shape to that of the opening or may form a transition fromthe shape of the opening to for example a substantially circular flange7.

Once the sealing gland 1 is in place on the elongate member 2 and thesurface 3, fasteners 10 are passed through the apertures 11, 12 on thecompression ring 9 and the flange 7 respectively. These fasteners thenpass through and engage either into corresponding nuts or correspondingfastening means in the surface 3 or through the surface 3. Thereafterthe fasteners 10 are tightened such that the endless lip seals 8 deformagainst the surface 3 to form a seal. Additionally if higher compressionpressures are required to form the seal further plurality of aperturesmay be added to both the compression ring 9 and flange 7 so that furtherforce can be exerted without deformation or substantial deformation ofthe compression ring 9 by use of further fasteners 10.

The material selected for forming at least the upper portion 19 of theskirt 5 is sufficiently resilient to pass over or be able to be deformedover most unions or joins 15 which may be present in the elongate member2. For example such union or joins 15 may be affected by welding inwhich case minimal deformation is required to pass over the weld, butconversely the join may be affected by a set of union nuts as shown inFIG. 6 and rather than disassembling the whole elongate member 2structure the sealing gland 1 can by stretched over the past for itsfinal resting point.

The advantage conveyed by this invention is that a seal can be affectedsimply, quickly, and repetitively over an elongate member 2 and joinsthereof and surface which the elongate member may penetrate. The seal isaffected with no sealant required and relies upon the elastic propertiesof the materials used to form this sealing gland 1. The same materialsthat are used to form the upper portion 19 of the sealing gland 1 mayalso be used to form the endless lip seals 8.

In the preferred embodiment the endless lip seals 8, flange 7, and skirt5 are of unitary, or one piece construction. Such unitary constructionis preferably made by moulding or similar in the resilient material, forexample silicone as mentioned. The sealing gland 1 therefore in thepreferred embodiment is a two piece construction being the siliconemoulded component and metallic component of the compression ring 9. Asstated the compression ring 9 is preferably manufactured from astainless steel and in conjunction with the inert nature of the siliconeprovides a chemically resistant seal about the elongate member 2 on thesurface 3.

The above-described embodiment is useful for creating a seal between asurface and an elongate member. In some situations it may be desirableto create a seal between two elongate members of different diameters.The second embodiment gland is particularly intended for sealing of afirst pipe 105 to a second pipe 106, that the first pipe 105 runsthrough, for example the second pipe 106 may be a kick pipe in a floor(or a wall) and provides protection of the first pipe 105 from knockingor damage, and provides also an aperture for the first pipe 105 tocommunicate through the floor or wall.

A second, alternative embodiment of the invention that can be used tocreate this type of seal, shall now be described with reference to FIGS.8 and 13. A sealing gland 100 is shown, in a similar fashion to thesealing gland of the first embodiment described above, this has atapered skirt or conical upper part 101. Again, it should be noted thatthis upper part could be pyramid- shaped, with multiple sides from 3upwards, to encompass elongate members which do not have circularcross-sections. Alternatively it may be circular in cross section buthave a non-circular aperture formed therein.

As in the embodiment described above, the upper part 101 is marked atintervals along its height or length with cut marks 102. As describedabove, these can also be marked to show the suitable point at which auser should cut so that the sealing gland 100 can be used with a firstpipe or elongate member 105 of certain diameter.

The lower section 103 of the sealing gland 100 extends from the base ofthe upper part 101. In the preferred embodiment, the lower section 103is a hollow cylindrical shape, with an open lower end 104. However inother embodiments this tubular section may be a square tube or othermultisided poly in cross section, whether regular or not. As in thepreferred embodiment described above, the sealing gland 100 is made froma silicone material, or similar.

In use, the upper part 101 is cut to create an upper aperture, in asimilar fashion to that already described for the first embodiment. Afirst pipe 105, or first elongate member can be passed into the sealinggland, with the perimeter of the upper aperture deforming around theouter surface of the first pipe 105 to form a seal.

A second pipe 106 or elongate member is introduced into the loweraperture or open lower end 104, with at least the end of the lower partdeforming around the outer surface of the first elongate member to forma seal. It can of course be seen that the second elongate member 106 isof greater diameter than the first elongate member 105.

If required, the inner surface 107 of the lower portion 103 can befitted with one or more endless lip seals 108 running in an unbrokenloop around the inner surface of the lower portion 103. These aid insealing between the inner surface of the lower portion 103 and the outersurface of the second elongate member. These may also be present in theupper part 101 to seal to the first pipe 105. The diameters of theportions where the elongate member pass though are slightly smaller thanthe actual diameters of the elongate members that are two pass therethrough. This is so that the natural elasticity of the material of thegland can stretch and form a seal onto the elongate member. In onepreferred embodiment a tensile band 109 is used at least on the outersurface of the lower section to constrict the lower section at thesecond pipe 106. This helps improve the seal. The lower portion of thelower end 104 has a thickened band 111. This thickened band serves twopurposes. Firstly it reinforces the lower portion 104 and stops tearing,particularly so when tools may be used to apply the sealing gland.Secondly the thickened band 111 serves as a reference to locate thetensile band 109 and prevent it working or falling off. Here may be asimilar extension of the upper part as a sleeve which can have a similartensile band if need be included. Such bands are known in the art.

It should be noted that where references to an orientation have beenmade above (e.g. upper, lower, base, horizontal etc.), these referencesare relative, and are made for the sake of convenience only. They referto the gland oriented with the cone or skirt 5 facing upwards, and thesealing flange located at the lowest part or base of the sealing gland.The device of the invention can of course be utilised in any orientationdesirable to a user.

A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to FIGS. 14 through 20 a-b. The prior art re-sealable sealingglands shown in FIG. 14 have a discontinuous pressure applied across there-sealable opening thereof. This results in an incomplete seal alongthe length of the opening and thus the seal will allow migration orentrance of water and particulate materials. This is undesirable and iswhat the present invention strives to overcome. Furthermore the presentinvention is made from a silicone base material as a requirement forconformability and to meet certain specifications whether for foodhandling or otherwise. The nature of a silicone based material is thatit tears very easily. The use of a discontinuous crimping member of theprior art that has sharp edges will result in a tear and thereforefailure of the sealing gland when made in silicone. This is particularlythe case when the silicone material is under tension as is likely tooccur with a re-sealable gland.

In this section where similar integers are used two integers previouslydescribed in this specification then they are taken to be the sameintegers.

The sealing gland 1 in a similar fashion to the first embodiment sealinggland has an upper seal 6 at or towards its upper portion 19. Though notdesirable yet possible the upper seal 6 may be formed by removal of acone portion as earlier described. Additionally there again are marks 13to indicate where the skirt 5 can be cut to suit elongate members ofvarying sizes.

The body of the sealing gland 1 consists of an at least in partsubstantially frustoconical skirt 5. From the lower portion 18 of theskirt depends a flange 7. The sealing gland 1 has a resealable spilt orelongate opening 30. The re-sealable split runs from the upper portion19 or upper seal 6 to the external edge or surface 35 of the flange 7.This allows the sealing gland 1 to be opened and applied around and insitu elongate member 2, for example a pipe and thereafter sealed down asdescribed below to form a seal between the elongate member 2 andsubstantially flat surface 3.

Along each side or edge of the re-sealable split 30 there are continuousupstands 29. The continuous upstands run the entire length of there-sealable split or elongate opening 30. The inner upstand surfaces 28mate upon sealing of the re-sealable split 30 to form a complimentarysealing surface 39 (also referred to as apposing seal faces). Thecomplimentary sealing surface 39 may be a straight line or planar incross section but alternatively may be labyrinthine as required. There-sealable split or elongate opening 30 also may be a straight line asdepicted in FIGS. 15 and 16 but alternatively may follow a curve, line,a seal line 45 or any other shape as required, and is not necessarily anear radial line as depicted.

On the external surfaces 32 of the continuous upstands 29 there is eachan undercut 31. This undercut may either be pre-formed in the externalsurface 32 or may be formed by the compression clamp or crimpable clamp33, and compression ring 9 as described below.

The flange 7 also has a portion of a re-sealable split 30. This is heldinto place by the compression ring 9 having a split 22. Upon applicationof the sealing the compression ring 9 is opened in a spiral form to passover the elongate member 2. The compression ring 9 is then located tounder engage the retention flange 16 and the edges of the split 22locate into undercuts 31 (either pre-formed or formed by the compressionring) in the continuous up stands 29. The resilience of the compressionring 9 in the hoop direction 36 is preferably sufficient to form theseal at the upstands 29 in the flange 7. Alternatively fasteners eitherside of the upstands 29 and the flange 7 will provide sufficient forceto create the seal in this portion. If additional sealing force isrequired then a compression clamp 33 (to be described) can be added tothis portion. This can be seen in FIG. 16.

Along the remainder of the re-sealable split 30 a compression clamp orcrimpable clamp 33 is located. This can either be slid along the lengthof the re-sealable split 30 and may impart sealing pressure as it isapplied. Alternatively it may be passed over the sealable split 29 in aclipping fashion. If requited the compression clamp 33 can thereafter bedeformed inwards by a deformation tool 38 to provide sufficient oradditional sealing pressure. Such additional pressure may be applied atthe time of installation or at a later date if for any reason the sealproves to not seal 100%.

The compression clamp 33 consists of two substantially parallel rails 37that have on them pressure application surfaces 42. The pressureapplication surfaces 42 are the inner surfaces of the parallel rails 37which will engage with the external surface of each of the undercuts 31.Each of the parallel rails 37 has connection portions 40 running fromone parallel rail 37 to the other parallel rail 37. In the preferredembodiment these connection portions 40 follow the general externalcontour of the two continuous upstands. Therefore they are arched sothat they run out, above and over the continuous up stands 29 of thesealing gland 1 and re-sealable split 30. In other embodiments theconnection portions 40 may be arched or follow other contours. The clampin the preferred embodiments has the connection portions 40 welded tothe parallel rails 37.

The lower external portion 47 of the connection portion 40 is cut awayso that no sharp surface is presented to the material of the gland. Thiscan be clearly seen in FIG. 19 c. In this way the gland is preventedfrom tearing and also the clamp can slide smoothly into place.

Although this is the preferred method of attachment other methods knownin the art such as press metal forming, forging can also manufacture thecompression clamp and are considered to be within the scope of theinvention. In use the sealing gland 1 is applied around an elongatemember 2 and located against a substantially flat surface 3. Thecompression rings 9 with its split 22 is then located about the elongatemember 2 and down onto the flange 7. The compression clamp 33 is thenlocated about the remainder re-sealable split 30 to seal either by itsstatic form or seal by the addition of deformation inwards to seal there-sealable split 30. The compression ring 9 and compression clamp 33together provide continuous contact along the length of the re-sealablesplit 30, either side of the complimentary sealing surface. Due to thetearable nature of the material forming the sealing gland 1 the sealinggland 1 is prevented from tearing particularly as it would otherwise doso when a clamp of discrete nature of the prior art is used.

The open nature of the connection portions 40 allow the compressionclamp to bend either before installation or in use to follow any contourthe continuous upstands 29 and re-sealable split need to take. Forexample the compression clamp can easily be conformed lines radial ofthe elongate member 2, even if the radial line is curved in side view.

If desired the compression clamp 33 and ring 9 can be removed to allowremoval and reapplication of the sealing gland 1. The compression clamp33 can either be slid off, or the connection members 40 can be cut and anew compression clamp 33 applied upon resealing.

Shown in FIG. 20 are two possible forms of labyrinth seal. A seal lip 48form is shown in FIG. 20 a. This is essentially a seal lip 48 similar incross section to the lip seal 8 on the underside of the flange 7. Thisform of labyrinth seal relies upon deformation of at least one seat lip48 against and into the opposing complimentary mating surface 39. In thepreferred form there are number of lip seals 48 present on one, other orboth opposing complimentary mating surfaces 39.

Another form of labyrinth seal is shown in FIG. 20 b. This form reliesupon at least one extending seal lip 48 of a rib form on one opposingcomplimentary mating surface 39 and at least one complimentary sealrecess 49 on the other opposing complimentary mating surface 39. In thepreferred embodiment there are at least two of each.

Other forms of labyrinth may be used that are known in the art and areconsidered to be immaterial variants of those examples shown.

A further embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to FIGS. 22 through 29. The sealing gland 60 consists of asealing body 63 and a compression ring 68. The sealing body 63 is asubstantially planar disc shaped member. On the underside of the planarsealing body 63 is at least one endless lip seal 65 (best shown in FIG.29). In the preferred embodiment there are four such endless lip seals65, concentrically arranged. At or near the periphery 67 of the planarsealing body 63 is a first plurality of holes 66. In the preferredembodiment these are equally spaced around the periphery 67 of theplanar sealing body. The plurality of holes 66 have diameter(s) suchthat when a fastener is passed there through an interference fit will becreated. In the preferred embodiment this interference fit (i.e. a sealbeing created between the hole and the fastener 71) may be formed eitherby the size of the apertures being slightly less that of the fastenerput there through or may be formed once the gland is assembled andcompressed by the compression ring 68. The compression of the materialof the gland 60 between the substantially flat surface and thecompression ring 68 causing bulging or swelling of the material to sealabout the fastener 71. The compression ring 68 can either simply fit onthe top side of the sealing gland 60 (FIG. 23 b) or alternatively may beretained there by a retention lip 73. The retention lip 73 rises up fromthe body of the planar sealing body 63 to overlap at least in part thecompression ring 68. The apertures of the compression ring 68 and theapertures of the planar sealing body 63 at least in some parts line upso that fasteners can be located there through to engage with thesubstantially flat surface underneath.

In assembling this embodiment the sealing gland 60 is passed over theelongate member 61 and brought to bear with the endless lip seals 65against the substantially flat surface 62. Fasteners are then locatedthrough the apertures to the substantially flat surface 62 and tightenedto sufficiently compress the material of the planar sealing body 63under the compression ring 68 and also the endless lip members 65 toseal against the substantially flat surface. The sealing aperture 74 iseither pre-cut into the supplied unit before its use or may be cut by auser immediately prior to installation or as required for the uses ofthe sealing gland 60. To aid this cutting by the user (or indeedmanufacture prior to supply to the user) a series of concentricindications 75 are on the inner portion of the planar sealing body 63.These may either be rises, detents or simply printed thereon. In theshown embodiment they are circular as is the planar sealing body.However in other embodiments the planar sealing body and therefore thesealing gland may have an overall plan shape that is not circular (e.g.a polygon of three or more sides) and or the sealing aperture 74 may beother than circular depending upon the shape of the elongate member tobe sealed to. Therefore the concentric indications 75 may also be ofthis shape other than circular (e.g. triangular, square or rectangular).

When the sealing gland 60 is applied over the elongate member the sidesof the sealing aperture 74 are slightly less in size than the overallsize of the elongate member. This results in elastic deformation of theperiphery of the sealing aperture 74 and forms a seal about the elongatemember. This has been earlier described in the other embodiments. Inother methods of installation the sealing gland 60 may be mounted to thesubstantially flat surface 62 and then the elongate member 63 is passedthough the appropriate formed sealing aperture 74.

The material of this embodiment is similar to that of the previousembodiments in that it is a thermally resistant, or chemicallyresistant, or fire retardant, (or all of these) material, for example ahigh grade silicone. The material must also possess an inherent elasticnature to allow the deformation of the endless lips seals 65 and alsothe elastic deformation about the elongate member in the sealingaperture 74.

A further embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 31through 33. In its most simplest form this embodiment combines thesealing gland of the previous embodiment shown in FIGS. 21 through 29and the sealing gland shown as the first embodiment in FIGS. 1 through9. This composite construction serves a primary purpose. In the event ofan extreme fire event one or other of the sealing glands, i.e. the innersealing body 76 and the outer sealing body 77, may become extremelycharred and therefore become brittle. When fire suppression measures,for example foam, water, or similar are used these may impinge on thecharred sealing body. Due to the brittle nature of the charred sealingbody it may fall away. If only one of these sealing bodies were presentthen in effect the sealing of the elongate member to the flat surfacewould fail. By having the presence of the second sealing body then thisis left largely unscathed by the fire event and can therefore stilleffect the sealing of the elongate member to the substantially flatsurface.

The outer sealing body 77 as earlier described has a tapered skirt orfrustoconical inner sealing portion 80 which is then surrounded by anouter sealing body flange 81. As earlier described the axial crosssection of the tapered skirt 80, sealing aperture or flange 81 plan maybe other than circular and may be any multisided polygon in shape,whether regular or otherwise. In some embodiments it is envisaged that amixture of cross sections may be present, e.g. circular base flange 81,square tapered skirt 80, and rectangular sealing aperture 74.

The outer sealing body flange 81 runs all the way around the taperedskirt or frustoconical inner sealing portion 80. In the preferredembodiment the outer sealing body 77 is a unitary body made from thesame or similar material mentioned above with the same or similarproperties. For example it may be made from a high grade silicone.

Present also is a compression ring 68 which bears on the top side 83 ofthe outer sealing body flange 81. Located “underneath” the outer sealingbody 77 is the inner sealing body 76. This is largely the same as theplanar sealing body 63 embodiment described in reference to FIGS. 22through 29. However the inner sealing body 76 in the preferredembodiment here does not have a retention lip 73 present. Both the innersealing body 76 and the outer sealing body 77 have a number of endlesslip seals 65 depending from their under surfaces about the flange. Thecompression ring 68, outer sealing body flange 81 and inner sealing bodyflange have matched or co-axial apertures running there through for thereceiving of the fasteners 71.

As can be seen at least in FIG. 33 the inner sealing body 76 peripheryshows outside the outer sealing body 77. In the preferred embodiment theperiphery of the inner sealing body 76 and in the most preferredembodiment the entire inner sealing body is of a different colouredmaterial to that of the outer sealing body 77. In the preferredembodiment this colour is red. The material itself is identical it isthe visual indication or colour that is different. The reason for thisis that a user can immediately tell whether or not an inner sealing bodyand therefore a sealing gland 87 of this embodiment, has been installedthat has the necessary fire retardant properties by virtue of the factof having the composite sealing gland 87.

In use the sealing gland 87 is located about an elongate member 61either separately or as a unit and is slid down to lie against the flatsurface 62. If necessary prior to this assembly the sealing aperture 74is cut to size. This can be aided by the presence of concentricindications 75 on each of the inner sealing bodies 76 and outer sealingbody 77. As earlier described the outer sealing body 77 sealing aperture74 may be created by the cutting of line through a peaked or conedversion of the outer sealing body 77. Once the correct size is chosenthe sealing gland 87 (either separately or together) is slid down overthe elongate member 61. Thereafter fasteners 71 are passed through theapertures to engage with the flat surface. Tension is then applied viathe fasteners to the compression plate 68 itself. This will in turncompress the endless lip seals 65 of each of the inner sealing body 76and outer sealing body 77. This will affect the seal between the outersealing body and inner sealing body, and the inner sealing body and theflat surface. In alternative methods the sealing gland 87 is appliedfirst and thereafter the elongate member is passed through the sealingapertures 74 of the sealing gland 87.

The seal about the elongate member is achieved in similar ways earlierdescribed in that it is elastic deformation of the sealing body form theseal about the elongate member. This perhaps is best shown in FIG. 31immediately prior to applying of compression by the fasteners 71 todeform the endless lip seals 65 to affect the seal.

The foregoing description of the invention includes preferred formsthereof. Modifications may be made thereto without departing from thescope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sealing gland which in use forms a first sealbetween an outer surface of a first elongate member and the sealinggland, and a second seal between an outer surface of a second elongatemember and the sealing gland, the second elongate member outwardlyconcentric to the first elongate member, the sealing gland comprising: ahollow conical upper section having a base and an upper aperture; and ahollow tubular lower section extending from the base of the uppersection, a free end of the lower section having a lower aperture; inuse, a periphery of the upper aperture forming an upper seal whichdeforms about, and seals to, the outer surface of the first elongatemember; and in use, one end of the second elongate member passing intothe lower aperture, at least part of the lower section deforming aboutand sealing to the outer surface of the second elongate member.
 2. Thesealing gland of claim 1, wherein the sealing gland is adapted toreceive a tensile band which in use bears on the outer surface of thelower section in order to seal against the outer surface of the secondelongate member.
 3. The sealing gland of claim 1, wherein the lowersection includes at least one endless lip seal located on an innersurface of the lower section which, in use, seals against the outersurface of the second elongate member.
 4. The sealing gland of claim 1,wherein the upper section includes indicia configured to guide a cuttingof the upper section to provide said upper aperture.
 5. The sealinggland of claim 1, wherein the seals formed between the sealing gland andthe elongate members are water and particulate impervious.
 6. Thesealing gland of claim 1, wherein the sealing gland is of elasticallyresilient and chemically inert silicone material.
 7. The sealing glandof claim 1, wherein the upper seal is configured to deform about theouter surface of the first elongate member to form the first seal, andwherein the lower section is configured to deform about the outersurface of the second elongate member to form the second seal.
 8. Asealing gland configured to form a first seal between a first elongatemember and the sealing gland, and a second seal between a secondelongate member and the sealing gland, the sealing gland comprising: aconical upper section having an upper aperture through which the firstelongate member is to pass and defining, at the upper aperture, adeformable upper seal configured to deform about and form the first sealto a periphery of the first elongate member; and a tubular lower sectionextending from a base of the upper section and having an open lower endthrough which the second elongate member and the first elongate memberare to pass, the lower section including one or more endless lip sealslocated on an inner surface of the lower section, the open lower endconfigured to deform about a periphery of the second elongate member inuse, such that the one or more endless lip seals form the second seal atthe second elongate member.
 9. The sealing gland of claim 8, furthercomprising: a tensile band configured to bear on an outer surface of thelower section to constrict the lower section, applying pressure to theone or more endless lip seals to form the second seal against the secondelongate member.
 10. The sealing gland of claim 9, wherein the lowersection comprises a thickened band about the open lower end, thethickened band configured to locate the tensile band relative to thelower section and prevent the tensile band from sliding past the openlower end.
 11. The sealing gland of claim 9, wherein the tensile band ismade from a stainless steel.
 12. The sealing gland of claim 8, whereinthe upper section includes indicia configured to guide a cutting of theupper section to provide said upper aperture.
 13. The sealing gland ofclaim 8, wherein the first seal and the second seal formed between thesealing gland and the first and second elongate members are water andparticulate impervious.
 14. The sealing gland of claim 8, wherein theupper section includes one or more upper section endless lip sealslocated around the upper aperture, the one or more upper section endlesslip seals configured to provide the first seal at the first elongatemember.
 15. The sealing gland of claim 8, wherein the upper aperture hasa smaller diameter than the open lower end.
 16. A method of providing asealing gland configured to form a first seal between a first elongatemember and the sealing gland, and a second seal between a secondelongate member and the sealing gland, the method comprising: providinga conical upper section having an upper aperture through which the firstelongate member is to pass and defining, at the upper aperture, adeformable upper seal configured to deform about and form the first sealto a periphery of the first elongate member; and providing a tubularlower section extending from a base of the upper section and having anopen lower end through which the second elongate member and the firstelongate member are to pass, the lower section including one or moreendless lip seals located on an inner surface of the lower section, theopen lower end configured to deform about a periphery of the secondelongate member in use, such that the one or more endless lip seals formthe second seal at the second elongate member.
 17. The method of claim16, further comprising: providing a tensile band configured to bear onan outer surface of the lower section, the tensile band configured toconstrict the lower section, applying pressure to the one or moreendless lip seals to form the second seal against the second elongatemember.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the lower section comprisesa thickened band about the open lower end, the thickened band configuredto locate the tensile band relative to the lower section and prevent thetensile band from sliding past the open lower end.
 19. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the tensile band is made from a stainless steel. 20.The method of claim 16, wherein the upper section is provided to includeindicia configured to guide a cutting of the upper section to providesaid upper aperture.
 21. The method of claim 16, wherein the uppersection is provided to include one or more upper section endless lipseals located around the upper aperture, the one or more upper sectionendless lip seals configured to provide the first seal at the firstelongate member.
 22. The method of claim 16, wherein the upper aperturehas a smaller diameter than the open lower end.